Ben Hilverda of Suzuki gives a pep talk before the startphoto credit trweigand.com

Season Gets off to Hot Start

All the anxious wating is over. The training has been done, the diets followed, the bikes and lighting systems tuned. Now the game is on and now it's time to learn the truth - be it wonderful or awful. But with six races in a series that stretches all the way to the Moab finale in October, there is still plenty of time for adjustments.

With a new series sponsor, Suzuki Automotive, racers have much to look forward to, with post-race pasta parties arguably top of the list. Ben Hilverda of Suzuki Automotive turned up to wish the riders well on their season-long quest.

One thing riders at Vail Lake might not have trained for is the heat. With temperatures soaring into the 90s early reports tended to be variations of "it's pretty warm out there." And reports about the tweaked course were favorable.

24 Minutes of Vail Lake... the 24-hour riders of the future

6 and Under start...

David and Mateo start the 8 and 9 race

6 year-old Elliott Irvine of Oakland, CA, savors his win.

It was a close race, with almost as much running as cycling. But when they finally mounted their bikes, 9 year-old David Johnson showed greater leg strength than 8 year-old Mateo, who scored full marks for pluckiness.

With one more lap, Matt, behind, might have won it, but Zack Kennedy, 11, of Irvine, Ca. timed his effort just right.

In the true sporting spirit, as defined, explained and rehearsed by Laird Knight before the race, the 11 year-old boys give each other five after an eventful race.

Abby Vines, 8, of Scotsdale, Az, showed an impressive turn of speed to win her race.